Tube support for gauges, recorders, and the like



April 29,l 1941 N. .1. sMn-H 2,239,938

TUBE surrom Fon muws, nacoxnsns AND um LIKE F11-edA March 21. 1939 Patented Apr. 29, 1941 TUBE SUPPORT FOR GAUGES, RECORDERS, AND THE LIKE Norman J. Smith, Medeld, Mass., assignor to Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Company, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 21, 1939, Serial No. 263,225

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a structure for supporting one or more Bourdon tubes employed for the actuation of an indicating gauge, recorder or the like, and is particularly concerned with the provision of unitary and interchangeable supporting units which permit the utilization in a compact space of tubes singly or in multiple.

With this in mind, the invention contemplates the provision of a unitary socket structure for each tube, with means for attachment of the structure or base in a predetermined relationship to the housing of the instrument. Each base unit is provided with means for interlocking with a similar and adjacent base unit in order that a multiple arrangement of base units may be assembled and held rigidly in a predetermined and precise arrangement.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Fig. l represents a front elevation of a chart recorder with the l chart portion cut away, illustrating the employment of two Bourdon tubes, each attached to its separate base unit, and with the base units assembled to the back of the case in compact relationship; Fig. 2 is a section in elevation of a similar instrument having the same units mounted in side-by-side relationship and interlocked with one another; and Fig. 3 is a perspective partially in section illustrating a method of assembling three units, two of which are in side-b-y-side and interlocking relationship.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention it will be observed that the base units may be attached directly to the back of the case or assembled to the case in tandem formation, with one unit directly abutting the case and the second and possibly the third units mounted upon the abutting unit and interlocked therewith, all of the units being connected by through-bolt connections to the case. The units are identical in form and dimensions, and by virtue of the illustrated arrangement may be assembled either in tandem or abreast relationship or a combination of the two, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, more particularly Figs. 1 and 2, the housing of the instrument is indicated at I0, and is provided with a front cover member I2 closed by a glass front i4 overlying a chart plate IB, to which is secured a chart I8. The instrument is provided with a recorder pen indicated generally at 20, only one of which is shown for purposes of convenience. Multiple pens are operated by Bourdon tubes indicated generally at 22 and 24. Each of these tubes is mounted in a unitary base 26 of identical form and construction, the bases being rigidly but detachably connected to the back wall 32 of the housing. Provision is made for also connecting the bases with stationary connecting tubes 28 supported in the housing and serving as connecting media between the unitary bases and outlet terminals 3U, which are connected with a source of pressure or the like to be recorded.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, which illustrates an assemblage of unitary base members attached to the back 32 of the housing, it will be noted that each unit base member 26 provides a threaded socket 35 in its under side for connection with the xed threaded end 31 of a Bourdon tube. A passage 39 extending from top to bottom within the base member connects the Bourdon tube with a fitting 4i designed for connection with the connecting tube 28. When in the upright position shown in Fig. 3, each base member has oiset attaching lugs 43 and 45 located in the plane of one side, the inner face of the attaching lugs forming in conjunction with the side of the base a continuous plane surface provided with a lengthwise slot 41 which is intended for interlocking engagement with a rib or tongue 49 formed upon the contacting face of the next adjacent base unit when a series of these units are tiered up. As shown in Fig. 3, the inner base member is attached directly to the back of the housing through securing bolts, and the next adjacent or outer base member is assembled in compact relationship thereto, interlocked through the slot engaging with a corresponding rib formed upon the inner member and locked rigidly in place by through-bolts 5| passing through the back plate and the attaching lugs, as shown. Obviously within practical limitations two or more of these identical units may be assembled and locked in tiered relationship.

As again shown in Fig. 3, a third unit is indicated in section, which may also be supported directly upon the back of the housing, and to this third unit may be connected if desired a fourth unit in tiered relationship to the third. The arrangement permits the assembling of a multiple series of units in compact and predetermined relationship, occupying a minimum of space within the housing itself. Also, due to the interchangeability of the unit, replacements or substitutions may be made without alteration of the instrument itself.

What is claimed is: v

1. A unitary base structure for a Bourdon tube, having a base member provided with an attaching face, offset attaching lugs projecting` above and below the base member, each lug having a face in the same plane as the attaching face, said attaching face having an interlocking recess formed therein, and an interlocking rib formed upon the face opposite the attaching face of the 5 base member whereby a plurality of identical base members may be interchangeably assembled and secured in tiered relationship within the housing.

2. A multiple tube-supporting structure, comprising an enclosing housing, a plurality of interchangeable identical base members each having a Y' 10 therebetween.

tube socket in tiered relationship with respect to the housing interlocked by cooperating tongue and groove connections upon adjacent members, with oiset attaching lugs projecting from opposite portions of each member, and throughbolts passing through the housing and the attaching lugs outside of the base members to secure the members in a rigid immovable relationship determined in part by the interlocking connections NORMAN J. SMITH. 

